#ASaviorIsBorn

Dear Family!

My first thanksgiving with a fried Turkey...not bad! I think I'll bring the southern sides home with me. Macaroni and cheese but not the collard greens. We had an amazing week.

Ok so funny story yesterday we got home from church and were utterly exhausted. Mission exhaustion is physically, emotionally, spiritually drained to the point of hysteria some times. Yes, I have had laugh attacks on my mission. Anyways, we were lying on our beds and Sister Nielsen was telling me about her studies in the Old Testament while I was putting peppermint oil on my head for my head ache. Well it rolled into my eye and burned so bad. We washed it out with water but it was still pretty bad. So we texted a mom in the ward and she said to rinse it out with milk, but we didn't have any milk! So we melted ice cream and put it in my eye. Buahahahaha. It worked and yes mom my eye is fine. So funny. It was a bonding experience.

Ok now for the reason we were so exhausted spiritually today more than normal! A MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A BIG MASSIVE MIRACLE!!

Yesterday as we walked into PEC and Bishop introduced to us a man from China named L. He's been in the US for 6 months. He is taking classes at Gadsden State and wants to transfer to BYU. He contacted Bishop to get his endorsement and little did he know what he was walking into. He's not a member, knows English pretty well, and likes the business school at BYU. Bishop was teaching him about the honor code and then let us teach him about Christ! He isn't religious at all!

Ok, you are probably thinking Sister Gibbs and Sister Nielsen have been teaching a lot of people who don't know about Jesus Christ. It's true! Almost all of our investigators aren't Christian! Get this! There's a woman we know  who grew up Pentecostal I believe and is still very rooted in those beliefs. For example, she thinks she is a prophet, classic. Anyways she prayed for Sister Nielsen and I and in the prayer she said "You will have much success with people from the foreign lands." Wow. Maybe she is a prophet! Haha:) J J

Anyways, we were so prepared for the lesson because of all the other non-Christians we've been teaching and it went great!!! He said he understood the English we were using. There is not an experience sweeter than teaching someone who Jesus Christ is. We were wondering how to tell Him the story, where we should start, and we of course started with our eternal family. I know that we are all brothers and sisters. When we told him about how Jesus Christ took the punishment for our sins L nodded and said, "yes." He understood and the spirit was strong. Explaining the spirit went well too. We told him it's a feeling similar to the feeling you get when you serve others. It's a warm, happy feeling. He smiled all through church! His friend came to pick him up and he chose to stay!!! We are meeting with him this week in a members home.

Two days before I was super discouraged and frustrated with missionary life. When I was humble enough to take it to the Lord he comforted me. Reading 2 Nephi 4 was God telling me to be humble as well as trust him. Then what a great miracle on Sunday. :)

I love my Savior brother Jesus Christ, because of Him I will have Grace for eternity. I know He lives. I know He has infinite love for us. The amount of love to live through every trial we have ever faced so he can say with validity, "It's going to be ok." It's as if we signed up for college, got all of our classes ready, and our brother said, "I'm going to take all of those same classes, have the same experience so I can help you through it." Not to mention every C we get He can make it to an A. Romans 8:31 "For what do we say to these things? If God be for us who can be against us." A Savior is Born and we know why. What a miracle and blessing that is to each and everyone of us. The why of course is because we need Him. He is the source of true joy.

How well do we know the Savior?

How are we doing on our scripture studies?

Do we know Him?

Do we know why He came?

Do we know why He sacrificed so much for us?

I know as we get to know Him and use Him and his sacrifice we have nothing against us.

I love you. Thank you for your prayers. We feel them.

Merry Christmas

Forever Steadfast in our Savior

Love, Sister Gibbs

www.christmas.mormon.org

Will you look up the website? Will you share it?:)

We set up our Christmas Tree!!! 

A possum.  Not so cute in the moonlight.

Living Water!!

Happy Thanksgiving and Fall y'all!

I'm so very grateful for my family!!!!!! Thank you for... wow just about everything! You are my whole life! Thanks for the love. Good thing we have eternity to play.

We had a zone activity today! We Hiked Noccalula Falls and had a companionship study next to them! Wow. So cool. I will send you pictures:)

We are spending thanksgiving at a couple of homes here in rainbow city! We are going to have a lot of food. We are excited. We are having it at a less active's and a part members! Wahoo!

Elder Dube is too neat. Pres. Hanks sent y'all the letter of what we learned and Holy Cow it was just all that! We were kind of nervous to meet him because he is a general authority and then he started making us laugh with all kinds of stuff like, "Sometimes we wait to long to qualify ourselves for the kingdom of God." #marriage Imagine that statement in an African accent and you are set.

One of my favorite parts of Elder Dubes' trainings was when he talked about our potential. Everyone has infinite potential absolutely everyone. Moses saw his potential in action (Moses 1:8)

Pres. Hanks also talked about our potential and showed us a photo of Elder Holland, Elder Cook, and Marian D. Hanks their mission President... Woah! What does that mean for the ABM!

We have an investigator who is going though cancer treatments. Right before she started them we taught her the Restoration and she reads the Book of Mormon every night! She says it brings her peace! We are seeing amazing things.

We didn't get to see the Hindu family this week but we this week, probably on thanksgiving. haha.

Anyways, I'm so very grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ, because of Him of course we can have true joy in eternity but we may also have it today.

I love you!

Steadfast in Christ

Love, Sister Gibbs

P.S. Elder Udy from portage is coming home in December. Thank you for the package!!!!! The Nepal family will love the video :) Love you!

Noccalula Falls

Visit to the Mission from Elder Dube of the First Quorum of the Seventy!

 Visit to the Mission from Elder Dube of the First Quorum of the Seventy!

Each year, at least one General Authority – and almost always his wife – visit each of the 418 Missions of The Church for a “Mission Tour.”  The Mission Tour lasts several days and involves a variety of meetings both with full-time serving missionaries as well as with members and local leaders.  This year, our visiting General Authority was Elder Edward Dube of the First Quorum of the Seventy and his wife.  (His biographic sketch is included in the beginning of the two multi-zone conferences photo albums.)

Elder and Sister arrived quite late Tuesday night the 17th of November and started early the next morning with a group picture and introductions to individual missionaries from the three southern zones of the Mission (Montgomery, Birmingham and Bessemer).  Since the pictures and introductions had to be over in time to start the actual conference itself at 9:00 a.m., one can easily imagine what time missionaries had to leave their apartments from their distant areas of labor.   Additionally, they had all dedicated  themselves with study and preparation to get the most out of the meetings.

For all that such an early hour might mean for the usual 18-21 year old, there was no sleepiness throughout the day!   And, to that point, Elder Dube emphasized his deep belief in rising early to do the work we’re assigned:  “If you want to raise your area, you’ve got to raise yourself first (with meanings on several levels) and leave your area better than you found it.”  Further, Elder and Sister Dube’s enthusiasm, along with their topics and presentation styles were complemented – as usual – by President and Sister Hanks. 

Thus the pattern was set for what followed the next day in Huntsville.  Training from both couples filled the morning, a great lunch was provided by Sisters from the Stake Relief Society, and the afternoon recommenced with additional training through 4:00 p.m.  Selected missionaries were then interviewed by Elder Dube, and the day ended for the missionaries to return to their respective areas. 

Elder and Sister Dube, accompanied by President and Sister Hanks, then travelled from Inverness to Bessemer to enjoy a dinner with leadership of the Bessemer Stake, followed by attend a Stake Adult fireside that evening presided over by Elder Dube. 

Early Thursday, the Dubes and Hanks left Birmingham for the Huntsville Stake Center for the conference of the three northern zones of the Mission: Huntsville, Madison and Tupelo (Mississippi).  Following the interviews of selected missionaries, the couples returned that evening to Birmingham and began to prepare for the Special Mission Leadership Council (MLC) meeting the next morning.

At the MLC meeting, once again in Inverness, Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders were provided exceptional training that was designed to help them become better leaders, trainers, and especially, Disciples of The Lord Jesus Christ.  Following a short lunch, additional training was provided, after which there were more interviews of selected Mission Leaders.  President and Sister Hanks then escorted the Dubes to the Birmingham airport, where Elder Dube flew off in one direction on another assignment over the weekend and Sister Dube returned to their home in Salt Lake City.

 Of the hundreds of influential points made during these activities, one of the most meaningful was the amount of dedicated and consecrated effort put forth – as an example to young missionaries – by General Authorities of The Church.  The intensity of the schedule described above doesn’t even begin to describe the amount of planning, organization, preparation, travel across multiple time zones that goes into such a Mission Tour – and that’s only one of a General Authority’s many responsibilities.

We were truly blessed!

- President Nolan

Hey Fam:) I love You

Thanks for being my family!

The ward is increasing their missionary work! It's fabulous. We are putting up a Christmas tree this week and we are going to decorate it with the paper chains that people have written their missionary experiences on. The Primary's chain is the longest. Children are always the leaders in this world! It's been fun to see the ward get excited. The young women told many stories on Sunday of how they gave out pass along cards as well as told their history class the truth about Mormons! We are successful. :)

We also did an activity with the Young Women this week. We made cookies and talked about the possibility of serving a mission. It was fun to teach them about the Grace that comes to us as we have Faith. They all have such a cool mission in life and it was fun to give some advice. They are already fabulous missionaries.

Ok the best member present of the week was Tiffany at the. She found the Gospel through this family. The Rubarchic’s are fabulous. Tiffany has had a crazy life and received a Book of Mormon from a member who left on a mission in the summer. Tiffany has worked around many members for a long time and now was the time to teach her. She loved the Restoration and is still reading the Book of Mormon. I think the best part was the members testifying of it's truth. Tiffany felt the spirit and heard what she needed to through her friends. My guess is she will be baptized in December. I absolutely love her. She has the cutest personality.:) Y'all will have to meet her!

We have been doing some solid finding this week. We met a family from Ohio who's looking for a church! We met a man who totally understood the apostasy and said "It looks like we need a restoration today."! So elect! We also met 2 cute moms who we sang for during the last 20 minutes of the night. We keep meeting a ton of people. The hardest part about this work is them being there for the return appointment. It's very hard, the people say "fruscratin." Please pray for people to want to meet with us again. That would be fabulous.

Anyways! The Nepali family is doing great. We are going to reenact the Nativity soon:) So fun! I'm so excited for Christmas!!!!! Christmas as a missionary is too cool! If y'all want any southern things for Christmas let me know. I love you!

Have a great week!

Steadfast in Christ

Love, Sister Gibbs 

 The Field is White Already to Harvest!!!! 

"Had an opportunity to go out with these young ladies tonight. 

Thought you might like to see them happy doing the Lords work. Great 

missionary sisters. Sister Palmer. Gadsden ward"  They ate at Pruetts Barbecue.

"Dear Heavenly Father, I'm grateful that school is over cause you know it's so hard." -Bropab

Jesus Christ in a home.

Hey Y'all!

SISTER NIELSEN AND I ARE STAYING TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!! YEESSSSSS! After transfer calls we had about a 5 minute happy dance that turned into planning while pacing the apartment. :D We are ready to see miracles this transfer. TENACITY! GGGGRRRRRRR!

Sister Nielsen is so wonderful. I love her so much! She's a hard worker. She is so loving and selfless. My goodness where did she come from? Heaven I guess:)

We got to teach the best lesson on Saturday. We have been teaching a family that is from Napal and they don't know anything about Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Their niece came over while we were there and she asked what Jesus Christ's story was..............wow. So cool. We got to tell her who He is and that He saved us. We asked, "How would it change your life if you knew that Jesus Christ was your Savior?"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She said that it gives her a lot of peace. Just wow. Neatest experience ever!!!!

It is the coolest thing to testify so often on the mission. When I testified of the Savior and that He gave his life for us the spirit flooded over me letting me know that it was true. I've never felt the Savior nearer. It's almost like remembering the relationship we all had with Him before this earth. Forever our brother. So cool.

It is so neat to see Christ in this family's home. We've got a lot of teaching a head of us but slowly and surely they are understanding. We are teaching the Mother more English as well. It is too fun. Luckily the Spanish missionaries have lesson plans to teach English. Last night it was one of the girls Birthday and they fed us Napali food! (picture attached) it was really good! Very Spicy.

The first time we taught them to pray we kneeled on the floor. They don't know you can pray standing so we always kneel. There is so much power in kneeling prayers! One of my favorite prayers of theirs is the subject line. Bropab is fabulous and loves Bama football too!

We also had zone training this week! It's been fabulous!

Thank you for your prayers! Sister Haslam comes home this week! Crazy how times goes.

Love you so very much.

Steadfast in Christ

Love, Sister Gibbs

Gadsden Zone Training

Pablan Sharma Family!

Yup! haven't seen the sun in probably 12 days!! haha! I like Rainbow City :)

TENACITY! GGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Happy Halloween! Happy fall y'all!

Welcome home Luke!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats on your baptism Claire! :) What a fabulous choice you've made:) I'm sure you are glowing:) Love you!

Ok it looks like y'all had a blast for Halloween! Too fun! The Howard family rocked it! So did the O'Brien’s! Halloween is becoming my 3rd favorite holiday after Easter and Christmas:)

We were Angels for the Halloween party at the church! It was fabulous:) The thrift store is where all the cool people get their costumes. Our wings and halo's were a hit! We also had an investigator come to the party!!!!! He is awesome and the Elders are now teaching him. They relate better:) We met Him in the thrift store parking lot. Miracles!

What a great Halloween day!!!!!!!!!!!!! We went to Locust Fork for a baptism! Sister Nielsen helped teach and investigator there and we got to go to his baptism! So fun! We saw Sister Anderl and Anderson! The man who got baptized even sang "Mary did you know"! It was fabulous! Baptism is the gate mate.

Did I tell y'all that it is beautiful here!!!! The leaves are fabulous and the hills are covered in them! So many rivers! BEAUTIFUL!

It rained and poured the whole Halloween day! Well I guess it lightened up for a little bit there for some trick or treaters. We had to be in by 7 and wanted to make contacting fun so Sister Nielsen wore her angel costume and I had a sign that said "I'm dead and lost ask her (with an arrow pointing) where I go?" It would have been sweet to be a zombie but it didn't happen. Ha! Silly missionaries:) We talked to some pretty neat people with it! When we got home we carved pumpkins! (picture attached)

I went on exchange with Sister West this week! She is fabulous:) This was my 2nd exchange with her! The last one was in Tupelo! Crazy! She is amazing and from Utah.

Also our Southside story this week. Southside is right next to Rainbow city over the river. We rode our bikes over there because we don't think sisters have been over there a lot. Well we rode about 10 miles up and down hills and talked to 3 people..... small town hahaha.

We also got to do a neat service project for a family. Our dear friend Sister Doan manages apartments close by and a family just moved in who needs a lot of love. So we made them dinner and shopped for them. It was so fun!:)

Anyways, I have found a new state of mind on my mission. Missions are difficult emotionally, spiritually, physically basically, they challenge us. I've never been challenged so much in my life! When things would get tough at home requiring me to have to cope with relationship concerns, keep pushing through a long day at dance, or ponder on a scripture, I would enter a state of mind that would give encouragement like "keep pushing, keep pulling, "you got this." On the mission I enter the same state of mind but it's been intensified.

I'm in that frame of mind longer than I have ever been. I come to a point where at home I would have quit trying, but here I've learned to keep pushing. I'm sure it is a state of mind that the famous plow horse has constantly. It's as if my time in a place of struggle has become so familiar I've found peace and ease there. The state of mind close to champions who live in that state of mind permanently constantly growing and stretching. Those who out grow their quests like a teenage boy out grows shoes! Constant progression and improvement. Just like the Savior. I feel like I have explored that area of tenacity and determination that has prepared me for things to come.

On my mission I've also been able to define it as well as the source. Grace- "divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ." (bible dictionary)

I know He lives in us and is our source for true improvement.

I love y'all! Have a fabulous week!

Steadfast in Christ

Love, Sister Gibbs

HAPPY  HALLOWEEN!!!

 

The Flowers Dad left on my porch when he visited Alabama! Thanks Dad!

Eating toast (thrive on awkward situations the T is just awkward) 

next to our marriage/dating refrigerator pictures.

Coosa River 

Sister West and Sister Gibbs

Nick's Baptism (Sister Nielsen's investigator)